Page 38

Nina

I can't move.

The only thing I can see is a strip of bright light, but it looks so far away. Why is everything so dark?

Weeooo!

Weeooo!

Weeooo!

What is that sound?

Something tingles...Are those my toes?

Bzzzzz.

Bzzzzz.

Is something buzzing?

Where am I?

There's a thudding in my head that matches the thumping ache in my chest. Why can't I feel anything but the pulse of my heart? Panic rises, reminding me I can feel something other than the thick nothingness that has become my body.

Pressure in my eyes makes the strip of light double until it fades completely. What greets me is a blissful kind of nothing. No panic lives in the darkness.

Where there is nothing, though, comes an ache. Like I'm missing something. Or a few somethings.

Where am I?

" I 'm trying to convince myself that you sleeping like the lazy piece of shit you are is a good thing. But even with the cops crawling around like pesky bugs outside, I'm inclined to wake you."

Huh?

"You stink like piss. I mean...If this is what you devolve to without proper care, then you should be thanking me. I found you."

I'm going to be sick .

"You'll break easier than last time. I know all of your training will kick back in with some tough love."

Warmth coats my calf and immediately freezes me. Shivers skitter across my slowly waking body. As if the chilly sensation that keeps dragging over my mostly numb skin shocks me, I finally register who's speaking.

Mr. M.

No! No, no, no! "Nnnnnnn—" Why can't I talk? My mouth feels like a cotton ball and I swear my throat is swollen. Oh my god, what happened?

Forcing my eyes open is painful, but when I do, the silhouette in front of the partially open metal door stalls my breath.

"Oh there she is...sleeping beauty."

My neck pulses in response. He freaking drugged me.

But that's always how it was with him. No matter how many ribs he broke or amount of blood he drained from my body, I had to be up the next morning before he was. Heaven forbid I stay passed out after he injected me with a sedative.

I have to be thankful he didn't slice my throat in my bathroom. Morbid, but if I've learned anything all these years later, is that I should count the wins. Each breath and pump of my heart is a darn win at this point.

"Wwww—" What did he say about the police being outside?

"Shhh," he coos, leaning forward. "As much as I love your voice when you scream, we can't afford that right now."

He cocks his head, making the light shine off of his bald head. That's new. "Dessss…" Desperate. He must be desperate to shave his head like that.

I wish I could see his face without the shadow disrupting his features, because I bet he can't pull his new look off.

Weeooo!

He flinches. The monster that's been haunting me since my sixteenth birthday flinches .

The police...They're right outside!

My body feels like it's fighting against me as I try to scream and cry, begging for someone to find me. I try to kick my legs as his vile hand reaches higher with the wet rag, but I don't make more than a slight movement.

This can't be happening. Why does this feel so much worse than knowing I'm light years away from anyone finding me? Oh my gosh, are my guys right outside?!

Finally my mouth opens wide, but my voice box rattles without much force. "Ahhhhh?—"

"Shush. We have to wipe the filth off of you. Honestly, why couldn't you wait for your bucket?"

Bile rises and I honestly relish the burn, because hope comes along with it. If I feel pain, then I'm close to reacting normally. Right? What I wouldn't give to just freaking scream.

When the monster comes close enough for me to witness his look of disgust, I know everything is about to change.

"You soiled your panties."

He wouldn't...

Heat presses against the sides of my hips.

NO! God, please no!